Walnut tree shaker



May`23, 1939. J. D. BERGER -WALNUT TREE SHAKER Filed May 22, 1937 2 sheets-sheet .1,

May 23, 1939. J. D. BERGER WALNUT TREE SHAKER Filed May 22, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 muy@ Patented vMay 23, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 2,159,311 WALNUT TREE SHAKER Joseph D. Berger, Covina, Calif.

Application May 22, 1937, Serial No. 144,185

10 Claims.

This invention relates to a machine for shaking the limbs of trees. The invention is particularly useful in shaking the limbs of Walnut trees. When walnuts develop to a condition such that they are ready to be picked, it is necessary that they be picked without delay. This may cause aA considerable shortage of labor for this purpose.

The object of this invention is to provide a machine of simple construction, that can be moved around through an orchard, and having means for enabling the limbs of the trees to be shaken, thereby accomplishing a considerable saving in the cost of labor. Before shaking the limbs of the tree, of course, canvas or duck sheets are placed on the ground so as to catch the nuts that are shaken from the tree. These sheets can then be picked up and the nuts poured into baskets or other containers to be taken to the y packing house for sorting and packing.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide a mechanism of this kind, involving the use of an extensible boom that can be raised to any angle desired, and extended to enable it to en- I gage the limb to be shaken; also, to provide a the boom and for withdrawing the extensible 35 part of the boom at will; and one of the objects of the invention is to provide simple means for effecting these movements.

In its preferred construction, the boom in- Volves the use of an extension member that may 40 be projected at will upwardly beyond the upper end of the body of the boom, and this extension member carries means such as a Ahook or saddle for engaging the limb to be shaken; and one of the objects of the invention is to provide simple 45 means for maintaining connection with this saddle in any extended position of the extension member. l

A further object of the invention is to provide a machine of this kind having an improved gen- 50 eral construction forl enabling it to perform its functions.

Further objects ofthe invention wi hereinafter.

The invention consists in the novel parts and 55 combination of parts to bedescribed hereinafter,

appear all oi' which contribute to produce an eillcient walnut tree shaker.

A preferred embodiment ofthe invention is described in the following specification, while the broad scope of the invention is pointed out 5 in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

Fig. 1 is a plan of the machine with the boom let down to a substantially horizontal position, and indicating in dotted lines the forward end 10 of a tractor to which the portable frame of the machine is preferably attached.

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the machine with the boom elevated, and indicating a limb in dotted lines, against which the boom is set for shak- 15 ing the limb. In this view the rear portion of the portable frame is broken away.

Fig. 3 is a partial elevation and longitudinal section through the boom, certain parts being `broken away. This view particularly illustrates 20 the means for effecting the extension of the extensible member of the boom, and for driving the shaker or saddle that engages the limb, This view is upon an enlarged scale.

Fig. 4 is a cross-section on the line 4-4 of 25 Fig. 3, and further illustrating details of the mechanism at the base of the boom. This view is upon an enlarged scale.

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on the line 5-5 of Fig. 1, and further illustrating details of the extensible shaft that is provided for reciprocating the shaker in any extended position of the boom. This View is upon an enlarged scale.

In practicing the invention,` I provide a boom which is mounted upon a portable frame i, and this frame is preferably provided with rearward- 1y extending side bars 2 that should be secured to the sides of a tractor 3, indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1. The advantage of using a tractor is that in spite of the Lweight of the boom when it is disposed at a low angle, the relatively great Weight of the tractor will hold the frame i in its normal horizontal position. In other words, the tractor prevents the boom from tipping over the portable frame i. The portable frame preferably comprises a horizontal platform 4 on which I mount a turntable 5 to rotate on a vertical axis at the center of the turntable. 1f desired, the turntable may be guided by means of a plurality of blocks or cleats 6, which have guide notches 'l cut in their inner faces to receive the projecting edge 8 of the table.

The boom 9 comprises a body i0, which is preferably of tubular form, and an extension member Il, which'is also preferably of tubular form and 55 from the side of the extension member II,

which telescopeswithin the body member I6, being guided to 'slide in and out within the same. Within the body I0 I provide m'eans for extending the extension member II and for withdrawing it back into the-body I0. For this purpose I prefer to employ a feed screw I2 (see Fig. 3), which is ofsufllciently small diameter to enable the extension member II to telescope over it. The inner end of the extension member I I carries a rigid nut I3 running on the threads of the feed screw I2 so that when the feed screw is rotated the extension member I-I will travel in or out within the body I0. Suitable means is provided for preventing the rotation of the member II when the screw; I2 is being rotated. For this purpose I prefer to provide the inner end of the extension member II with a guide ring I4, which guide ring is provided with a notch I6, which notch receives a longitudinal tongue 'I6 that may be welded or otherwise secured to the inner face of the body member I0 (see Fig. 4). At the limit of the outward-movement of the inner tube or extension member II, a set screw I1 is provided to engage the collar I4, to operate as a stop to prevent the extension member from being accidentally driven too far, and out of the upper end of the body member I0.

At the base of the body member III, it is mounted on two side pins I8 in a yoke-shaped bracket I9, which is carried on the upper face ot the turntable (see Figs. 1 and 2). These pins or pintles I8 are located a short distance above the extreme lower end of the body member III.

Any suitable means may be provided for rotating the feed screw I2, but for this purpose I prefer to provide a double pulley 28 comprising two rigidly connected pulleys 2I and 22 rigidly carrying a hub 23, which is mounted to rotate in the lower end of the tubular body I6. and held in position by any suitable means; for example, by a set screw 24 running in a circumferential groove 25 (see Fig. 3).

On the outer end of the extension member II, I mount-a limb shaker 26 preferably comprising an inverted saddle 21 lined with a. suitable pad 28 to preventing injuring the limb 29; and this limb shaker 26 also preferably includes a stem 36 that slides freely in the outer end of the tubular extension member II. Suitable means is provided for reciprocating this shaker 26 in any extended position of the boom, and regardless of the angle at which the boom may be disposed. For this purpose I prefer to provide an extensible shaft 3l secured -at the side of the boom, and preferably including a tubular lower section 32 mounted to rotate freely in bearing brackets 33 secured to the side of the body member III. The upper end of this tubular shaft 32 is provided with a rigid collar 34 secured within' the same,` said collar having an angular or square opening 35 through the same, through which passes an angular extension shaft 36, the upper end of which is rotatably mounted in a bracket 31 secured to the side of the extension member II. The upper end of the extension shaft` 36 drives a crank 38 having a stub shaft 39 rotatably mounted in a bracket or fin 40 extending outwardly This crank' includes two crank' pins 4I and 42, the latter of which is formed as a part of a crank arm 43 rigidly secured to the hub of a bevel gear 44, which bevel gear is driven'by a bevel rartasn the saddle 21. With this construction it,will be evident that when the shaft 36 rotates, the crank this shaft 48 two loose driving pulleys 58 and 5I are provided, corresponding to the pulleys 2| and 22 respectively. The pulley 66 is connected by an openround belt .62 with the pulley 2|, 'while the other pulley 6I is connected by acrossed belt 63 with the pulley'22. Each pulley 50 and 5I' has a clutch member 64 corresponding to it, and between the two clutches 64 a splined clutch member 66 is mounted for operation by a lever 56, so

that when the lever 66 is thrown in one direc. tion from the neutral position shown in Fig. 1,4 one of these clutches will be closed, and when it is thrown in the other direction, the other clutch will be closed. By reason ofthe twisted belt 53, it will be evident that the belt 52`Wi1l drive the feed screw I2 in one direction, while the belt 53 can reverse the direction ofthe belt. Hence this belt drive aiTords means for extending the extension member II, and for returning the same. Although I prefer to employ belts for effecting this driving connection, it will be evident Athat any suitable flexible connection may be employed for this purpose.

In order to rotate the body member 32 of the shaker shaft, I provide .a countershaft 48 with aloose pulley 61 having a clutch member on amount of power that can be delivered to this shaft. v

. In order to raise and lower the boom on the horizontal axis of the pintles I8, the countershaft 48 is provided with two pulleys 62 and 63 cooperating with a double clutch member 64 controlled by a clutch lever 66. The pulley 62 .drives an open belt 66 for driving a pulley 61 on an extension shaft from a worm 68, and a' second pulley 69 is `provided driven by a crossed belt 18 from the pulley 63. This enables the worm 68 to be driven in either direction at will,

and this worm drives a worm wheel 1I (see Fig.

l2), the shaft of whichcarries a drum 12 to which the end of a line 13 is attached, This line extends up over a guide pulley 14 and up through av pulley block 16 attached at an ele-v vated point on the upper side of the boom (see Fig.y 1). From the pulley block the line extends back in a run 16 around a second pulley 11, and thence forwardly in an anchored run 18, the upper end of which is attached at 19 to the block. In other words, the line 13 is disposed in several runs so as to reduce the speed at which the boom can be raised or lowered, and increasing the powerarm so that the raising of the boom does, not require greater power than can be 15 furnished by a motor 80, which may be ,an electric motor or a. gas engine, if desired.

The forward end of the portable frame I is preferably mounted on wheels 8l (see Fig. 1)

The motor 80, through a belt 82, drives the countershaft 48 through the medium of a pulley 83 on the countershaft.

The general mode of operation of the machine will now be described. The tractor' 3 pushes the portable frame I through the orchardand stops opposite the trees that are to be shaken.'

The boom 9 is then lowered or elevated to bring it into position to operate upon the limb 28 that is to. be shaken. AThis is1 accomplished by means of the clutch lever 65, which drives either the belt 68 or the belt 10 to lrotate the worm 68 in the proper direction to lower the boom',

or raise it. The turntable would be swung around by hand-power to bring the boom substantially into the plane of the limb. Then the clutch 58 would be thrown in the proper direction to rotate the feed screw I2 so as to push out the extension member II of the boom 9 sufficiently to enable the pa'd 28 to engage the outer or under side of the limb 29. After Contact .is had with the limb, then the clutch lever 59 is operated so as to close the clutch of the pulleyl, which will drive the shaker shaft 3|. This' will operate through the bevel gears 45 and' M to drive the crank 38, thereby reciprocati'ngthe stem 30 of the shaker which will, of course, shake the limb. The lever 56 is operated in a reverse manner so as to reverse the rotation -o'f the feed screw I2 and telescope the extension member 'IU back into the body I0 of the boom.

It is obvious that the reciprocating stem 30 could be constructed to support a saw to enable this machine to be employed for sawing o limbs in trimming trees.

It is understood that the embodiment of the invention described herein is only one of the many embodiments this invention may take, and I do not wish to be limited in the practice of the invention, nor in the claims, 4to the particular embodiment set forth.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for shaking the limbs of trees, the combination of a boom, means for supporting the same' for rotation on a substantially vertical axis adjacent its lower end, said boom having an extensible section at its upper end having means for engaging the limb of the trees, means for raising and lowering the boom, means for imparting movement to the said extension to advance and withdraw the same, and means for reciprocating the limb engaging means.

2. In a machine for shaking the limbs of trees,

'the combination of a wheeled frame adapted ,3. In a machine for shaking the limbs of trees,

the combination of a frame, a portable frame, a.

turntable mounted on the Aportable frame to rotate on a substantially vertical axis, a boom having a tubular body mounted on the turntable to swing on a substantially horizontal axis, means connected with the boom at an elevated point for swinging the same up and down in a substantially vertical plane, an extension for the boom guided in and out of the upper end of its tubular body, means within the tubular body for projecting the said extension outwardly and for withdrawing the same, rotatable means at the lower end of the boom body for actuating the last-named means, a flexible driving connection connected to the rotatable means, means mounted on the turntable for driving the flexible connection to project the extension and withdraw the same at will, said extension having limb engaging means; and means mounted alongside of the tubular body and actuated from a point adjacent the turntable for reciprocating the limb engaging means.

4. In a machine for shaking the limbs of trees, the combination of a portable frame, a turntable mounted to rotate on the frame on a substantiallyvertical axis, a boom having a body with means for pivotally supporting the same on the turntable to swing in a substantially vertical plane, a feed screw rotatably4 mounted in the tubular body, an extension member for said boom body having means connecting the same with the feed screw to enable the extension to be extended from the boom body or withdrawn into the same, means mounted on the turntable for raising vor lowering the boom, means supported on the turntable for rotating the feed screw in either direction, an extensible shaft with means for driving the same at the turntable, with its outer end connected with the extension member, and. means carried by the extension member and actuated by the extensible shaft for shaking the limb.

5. In a machine for 'shaking the limbs of trees, the combination of a portable frame, a turntable mounted on the frame for rotation on a substantially vertical axis, a boom having a tubular body mounted on the turntable to swing up and down on a substantially horizontal axis, a feed screw extending longitudinally in the tubular body, a tubular extension membertelescoping with the said body and having a nut for engaging the feed screw, a countershaft mounted on the turntable with its axis in a plane substantially parallel withy the plane in which the boom1swings up and down, flexible driving means between the countershaft and the lower end of the feed screw for rotating the feed screw in either direction, means carried by the extension me'mber for engaging the limb of the tree, and means for driving same in any extended position of the extension member.

6. In a machine for shaking the limbs of trees, the combination of a portable frame, a turntable mounted on the frame for rotation on a substantially vertical axis, a boom having a tubular body with means for pivotally supporting the same adjacent its lower end on the turntable to swing in a substantially vertical plane, a feed screw mounted within the tubular body, a tubular extension member capable of telescoping within the tubular body and having means for engaging the feed screw tovenable the extension member to be projected out from the body member and to be withdrawn within the same, a limb shaker carried by the extension member, an extensible shaft supported on the side of the body member and the extension member, means connecting the same with the shaker to shake the limb, and means mounted on the turntable for driving the feed screw in either direction for raising or lowering the boom and for rotating the extension shaft.

'1. In a machine for shaking the limbs of trees, the combination ot a portable frame, a turntable mounted on the same for rotation on a'substantially vertical axis, a boom mounted on the turntable to swing in a substantially vertical plane, an extension member guided in and out of the upper end of the body of the boom, rotatable means within the boom body for advancing the extension member and for withdrawing the same at will, a countershaft mounted on the turntable in a plane substantially parallel to the plane in which the boom swings up and down, a movable saddle carried by the upper end oi the extension member to engage the limb to be shaken, means extending along the side oi' the boomior actuating the same, a motor carried on the turntable for actuating the countershait, and means actuated by the countershait for raising or lowering the boom, i'or actuating the said extension shaft, and for reciprocating the saddle.

8. In a machine of the kind described, the combination of a boom, means for supporting the same for rotation on a substantially vertical axis adjacent its lower end, said boom having an extensible section at its upper end, means for raising and lowering the boom, means ior imparting movement to the said extension to advance and withdraw the same, a stem guided to reciprocate at the upper end of the said extension', and means Y ing an extensible section at its upper endhaving means for engaging the limb of the tree, powerdriven means for raising and lowering Lthe boom, power-driven means for imparting movement to the said extension to advance and withdraw the same. and means for reciprocating the limb-engaging means.

l0. In a machine for shaking -the limbs of trees, the, combination of a wheeled trame adapted to be moved through an orchard, a turntable mounted on the frame, a boom mounted on the turntable to swing in a substantially vertical plane, power-driven means for raising and lowering the boom, said boom having a body portion and an extension guided to project upwardly from the boom body, power-driven means for imparting movement to the said extension to advance and withdraw the same, means carried by the extension ior engaging thelimb to be shaken, and means for lreciprocating the limb- 

